5 Ways To Improve Your Punk Drumming

[@DrumeoOfficial]

Dive deeper into this lesson with our blog article: www.drumeo.com/beat/5-ways-to-improve-your-punk-drumming/

[@russellgarcia1871]

Drumeo 😎👌👍🎶 blink 182😎👌👍🎶

[@MrDottorzeta]

I’m a hard core punk drummer from 1992. I record 4 albums of my own music, but I’ve played for practicing a lot of NOFX, Face to Face, No Use For a Name stuff and works great. But you can reach the “next level” on hardcore music trying to practice Lagwagon and Strong Out music. Soooooo challenging!!! Because the problem with these parts is not only the speed, but the technique too. Great tips in this video, they are all super useful. Only one thing that for me you forget: respiration. Your arms and your feet need oxygen to work properly. If you are able to manage your respiration while you’re playing a 220 bpm song, it helps a lot. You have to breat with the beat, constantly. In te past I take a breath only after a crash beat or a fill. Not a great idea. Much better to learn to breath continuously. It needs a little bit of practice, but saves a lot of energy when you have a long song list!!!

[@riotkiley675]

I'm a NOFX fan of 20+ years and this was an awesome video because you're right, punk rock is generally away from spot light, partly because we like it that way, but it's still heartwarming when someone of influence shows their admiration and respect for the culture and can appreciate that it is a disciplined way to make music. Smelly is a killer drummer, it would be cool to see a session with him on Drumeo.

[@vinceventura2393]

Listen to Suicidal Tendencies‘ Freedumb Album with Brooks Wackermann. A masterpiece of Punk Rock Drumming!

[@conors4430]

Agree, love the way the snare pops in that album

[@sorin_ea6]

Crossover Thrash is really sick

[@rudowakening3638]

Brooks is as good as it gets

[@dariolobo4406]

And "internet dating superstuds" or "Hitler bad vándals good" from the vándals. Josh freese Is another punk drummer genius.

[@mrksdlx]

@@dariolobo4406 yup that’s one of the best

[@ShartimusPrime]

One recommendation for building speed for the foot is this Buddy Rich trick of taking the *spring off the pedal and getting the beater to rebound off the bass drum head with just feeling for the rebound with your ankle. It's the same as the slide technique, but helps beginners feel for how the beater should continuously bounce off the head. Edit: Btw, really loved the video. I hope Smelly comes through to Drumeo! Bill Stevenson would be a really good one too.

[@guy8612]

SHARTIMUSSSS

[@chasegordon4479]

thank you shartimus prime

[@PlayMoreMuzik]

Does that really work? I have tried for months to do the slide technique. I still have not been able to do it. Back to the drawing board I guess and I really appreciate his explanation in this vid.

[@benchinho]

I hope you mean the spring and not the chain... ;)

[@ShartimusPrime]

@@benchinho Oopf!! Thank you! Definitely meant the spring. Edited the comment, thank you.

[@matteolocati5317]

Well said. There are really few lessons about punk rock drumming. It takes not much to understand what this genre requires in terms of grooves and fills (and because of that, somebody may under rate punk) but behind that speed there's a sense! Thanks for the tips, David!

[@Pedro-dn3sg]

I witnessed The Decline live in Rio. Smelly just left the drum kit for the final section of the song, got Hefe's guitar and chilled playing some power chords for ~3min. A roadie took over the drums. So that's another tip to preserve endurance in a punk show haha

[@MrNight-iw9md]

My favorite style of music. Highly recommend Lagwagon, Wilhelm Scream, and Propaghandi.

[@joeyritter]

This was my favorite lesson. There's nothing like the fast punk beat. Thanks for showing the love!

[@TimSavage-drummer]

From my time playing punk, I remember all of the pain in various parts of my arm. Something I do recommend is getting a copy of Jo Jo Mayers, Secret Weapons of the Modern drummer. Has a lot of tips to tweak your technique to reduce injuries while increasing speed, which made a world of difference to my high-hat technique and endurance.

[@travisdrums7]

This one one of the most well explained, well demonstrated tutorials I’ve ever seen. To get across so much crucial information in just under 20 minutes. Awesome job!

[@davisbest]

As an exclusive punk drummer who has only been playing punk since late 90's, this lesson is spot on for the basics. Very well done. However as a punk drummer I must of course reject your capitalistic video.

[@marv5078]

😂👍

[@Slamadeus]

Punk is anti authority, not necessarily anti capitalism.

[@dariocartman5420]

​@@Slamadeus Modern punk is. Modern punk is mostly Anarcho-communism.

[@jbscornerstore]

Punk is dead dude

[@BoombadilSelecta]

@@Slamadeus it has to necessarily be anti capitalism.

[@flol4570]

I d love to see more punk lessons.

[@Fiascopia]

Dude, where was this video 7 years ago when I started :D Most concise AND ACCURATE how-to on punk drumming I saw

[@MrDaveAtkinson]

Thank you so much Diamo!!

[@thomasfischer4795]

When I started playing drums, I actually started with Dave's first punkrock drumming video. Back then, it surely was a great help. Easy to imagine that this one will be very helpful for starters as well! I would be interested to see his favorite drumming parts - no matter if copied from songs or self invented. Additionally, there are some ways to make punk beats more spicey like throwing in a quick double on the hi-hat or something like this (not on 200 bpm, of course). But would be interested to know how things that we are all too well familiar with can sound surprising and fun when done in a smart way.

[@drummerboyarnold3174]

@Thomas you spesking of Dave GROHL or Lombardo

[@thomfisher4926]

If we find a Bass player called Tom Fishar we can start one hell of a band my man.

[@FRPWR]

I always cheat my way out of double strokes on Hi-hats by hitting the snare at the same time with my kick leading the beat, hoping nobody would notice, but that reverse stick technique i DEFINITELY gotta try, next time my punk band preforms. Thank you!!

[@simon-pierreblanchet5240]

Yes please, more punk drum lessons! This one was a game changer for me. So many thanks Dave!!

[@venecreations]

Same here

[@stefdrumcore]

Respect just for using a clip of my favourite punk band "No Use For A Name"

[@alfianbanjaransari4096]

RIP Tony Sly

[@tonysly41]

Amazing to find these kind of stuff in drumeo. Puts a smile on my face.

[@keegster1882]

Great lesson. I grew up in the 90s and 2000s so all the band's you mentioned where THE punk bands everyone looked to for inspiration for punk music. Great explanation and break down, especially talking about the bass drum doubles using slide technique. When I accidentally came across that concept on my own (before I knew doubles was a thing on kick drum) I found it great for those punk rock speeds.

[@iancoye]

You need to ask Yuri Ruley from MxPx to come to Drumeo. Very underrated drummer that is much more technical than people know. His foot technique is impressive, captures the punk sound very well, and also gives the music life without flashiness. He is my pick for a punk rock drummer.

[@YaKnowwww1]

Couldn't agree more

[@rogerdavila6988]

How about Dave Raun?

[@iancoye]

@Roger Davila yeah, he would be great also. Lagwagon is much faster than traditional punk. I'd also ask Casey Lewis from Belvedere and his heel up technique.

[@vinceventura2393]

Derrick Plourde was great on Lagwagons Album Hoss! Very creative, crisp and fast drumming.

[@ScoobyAndFriends]

You enjoyed Hoss more than Duh?

[@vinceventura2393]

@@ScoobyAndFriends Duh, Trashed, Hoss.. all great Albums! RIP Derrick Plourde..

[@1thess523]

Lag wagon isn't the same without Derrick, my brother and I got to hang out with Derrick when we saw them for the Hoss tour,he actually gave us some pointers and changed our drumming game 👍

[@slayabouts]

I’d love to see videos on non-pop punk punk (if that makes sense) drumming and drum sounds. It seems whenever there are videos on punk drumming or drum sounds, it’s always in the context of pop punk. I’d like some hardcore, beat down, youth crew, etc. I’ll also again (probably fruitlessly) lobby for one on David Sandstrom of Refused. There’s something about his drumming that’s just so phenomenal to me

[@aaronbuff5576]

I agree and appreciate you for saying this

[@aaronbuff5576]

Refused was very "instrumental" to my approach to music. Nice to hear them being mentioned after all these years.

[@slayabouts]

​@@aaronbuff5576 Way back maybe 10 years ago I had read they were an influence for some bands I liked so I checked them out and couldn't really get into them. Admittedly (and ironically given their politics), I heard New Noise in a videogame commercial a few years ago and checked them out again. I still didn't like the vocals, but the songwriting was great. The more I listened to it though, the more the vocals grew on me and TSOPTC soon became my favorite album and inspired me to start recording. Songs to Fan The Flames is also up there with one of my favorites

[@renatoreboucas5413]

Bro that may 16 intro still gives me goosebumbs lol Lagwagon was one of my favorite bands back in the 2000's . Nice tips btw thanks for sharing this keep up.

[@conors4430]

This was great. The album that really taught me how to drum is dude ranch by blink. They helped me get the basics down at the speed. So by the time I moved onto nofx or rise against I had the speed and the basics, then I just needed the chops and the time signatures

[@lm8404]

Very useful, and yes, so hard to find punk stuff on YT.. My favorites, Smelly, Josh Freese!! I just started playing fast skate punk 1.5 years ago, and I’m 43 year old.. some tough stuff… My band says I’m good..so, I guess I’ll keep it going! Thanks you drumeo, for doing punk stuff… especially advice on endurance… there is more to be said about that!!

[@Fiascopia]

It's especially hard when you are older as any tension will lead to injury. Been struggling to get up to those really fast speed but been working on nothing but relaxed playing during lockdowns. It's been a long journey for me and it's not over!

[@edwardbyard6540]

Some great tips here! Bobby Schayer from Bad Religion did a lot of this; half time and effort saver beats. Get Bobby in the studio. I'm sure he'd share some tips even though he has long retired.

[@pretendhuman]

Was a punk drummer 20 years ago trying to play along to No Use for a Name... This was excellent information! 👏

[@_Jake.From.Statefarm_]

It's odd, I grew up playing the same as you Dave. I play usually heel up but do heel toe but i use heel up to do skips like like skipping the first bass note of the double mixed in depending on the note arrangement. That is huge in my opinion. It changes the dynamic... I learned that from Jordan Burns and Derrick Plourde

[@Moe-eq2pe]

haha I'm exactly the same, heel-up and use either heel-toe or put it all in my ankle aided by the bounce

[@992ras]

I play heel up, heel up works best for fast tempos and double bass i naturally do the slide technique at high tempos but never just tried to learn it but it just happened while learning blast beats on my feet especially fast16th or slow 32nd.

[@Zeke_Teke]

not a punk drummer but truly appreciate this video. thank you for these tips!!!

[@yansimoneau7411]

thank you so much for this! I've been playing punk rock on drums for 25 years and I enjoy every second of this video!

[@HolySmokesTheSquire]

Listen to some of The Offsprings double time punk beats, crazy how sometimes the lack of certain kick drum hits makes for a killer groove even without any doubles. All I Want being a good song example

[@donaldmejia2402]

Esto es de lo mejor que he encontrado en lecciones de punk, tenes razon hay muy pocas, gracias! Mas lecciones de punk!

[@Ol_Durty_Badger]

Lots of great tips in the video and a ton here in the comments from other punk rock drummers. Like them, I too have been playing punk rock as my dominant form of music since I was 7-8 years old. I’m 37 now and my own sons have taken up drumming. The biggest thing I can offer to aspiring punk drummers is, Relax your shoulders. So many new drummers tense up when trying to play quickly. Usually it’s because they confuse playing quickly with playing hard and loud. You can play loud and fast with a ton of excess energy spent. The reverse shank tip he shows is pure gold. Not a lot of power needed, but you get a much faster sound with less work. Don’t let THE MAN make you work excessively hard when laying down sick beats to overthrow the Capitalist Swine. Relax, start slow, then build your speed. My final tip for you would be to, Live Fast, Die Young and in a way that confuses whoever finds your body. 🤘

[@melaniesavoie6376]

I’m excited to put this tips on work!!! I’m a huge fan of punk rock!!! I begin to play drum to make songs like that ahah thanks for sharing!

[@jacobwatson4252]

Commenting for the algorithm. Would love to see more punk stuff. Thanks.

[@aaronfidelisrecine]

You could easily do an entire video on Bill Stevenson. Truly an unreal drummer, song writer, producer and all around nice guy.

[@christopherramos8997]

SUPER helpful video. Been playing for 5y ears and never really had a clear idea of how to actually do the slide technique for punk beats or what the hell even the shank tip was! Thank you SO MUCH!!! Also, I've been checking out drumeo since I started and this is by far, my favorite video of theirs. Thanks guys and yes please, more content like this!

[@rocesboyanthony5343]

The song I struggled with the most was “On The Outside” by No Use For A Name. I could never play the hi-hats as fast as he could even with the shank tip.

[@SSGTStryker]

3:15 I had the slide technique for years. Then left professional punk drumming for years and completely lost it. Now I’m back trying to relearn it all over again. Thanks for the instructional video!

[@SSGTStryker]

@@pppp-fr6fo I used to actually do a variation of the slide, really more of a bounce/slide. I’d bounce the ball of the foot back, then the slide back up as if I were catching it in a rebound. I know that probably doesn’t make sense. But that’s the problem I’m facing now. It’s been so long that I sort of lost the muscle memory of what I was doing.

[@SSGTStryker]

@@pppp-fr6fo That’s funny that’s exactly what I said to my kid as I was teaching him and I’m relearning everything. You’re absolutely right, I remember discovering the sweet spot the first time and thinking exactly the same thing.

[@thexennialdrums]

Amazing video Dave! This is exactly the kind of video I was looking for after I started practicing to some really fast Offspring songs like All I Want. Most punk drum vids out there just focus on the half-time variant of the common punk beats, but I agree with you: what makes a punk drum beat is the double-time variant. I will probably be watching this video multiple times to digest all of those tips! Thanks for putting all of this out there and looking forward to more videos like this!

[@romixsoundstudios]

Great tips, man! The one about the reverse shank tip is particularly helpful. I've programmed fast punk drums in my home studio with good results, but something was missing. That tip will do it. Awesome!

[@miksinful]

I really enjoyed this lesson. You did a great job and please include more videos for this genre. Love your influences dude 👌

[@Cuzjudd]

That's probably the best bass drum tone I've ever heard

[@jakerobohn9035]

As a beginner metal drummer I think this totally helped me! Thank you!

[@foodank_atr817]

Dunno how beginner you are but try this if you haven't.. Best if you have double pedals Two top then two kick- so... Snare snare kick kick /tom1 tom1 kick kick/ tom2 tom2 kick kick/ floor floor kick kick Do the kicks as fast as you do the top hits same tempo same timing. Same feel as if you just did 4 hits on snare but do 2 snare 2 kick etc etc. Then you can just alternate where you do the 2 top hits (anything! Anywhere!) Between the 2 kicks and make crazy fills and is also a good warm up. R L K K R L K K R L K R L K K

[@myphone7568]

I love that you started with a Smelly bit! Dude is underrated!

[@ghettostreamlabs5724]

Todd Sucherman is so freaking awesome. I bought both of his dvd's and they have been a great resource.

[@PlayMoreMuzik]

Do the dvds teach you the dbl kick technique?

[@DoomGal444]

More punk please I would particularly enjoy a lesson on some punk fills that are too fast to learn by ear and maybe some weird fills like the one Tre Cool does on the & of 4 all over Dookie

[@PFDarkside]

This kit looks incredible with the transparent shells and white hardware.

[@cjbeatsbipolar]

That Orange County kit is UNREAL!

[@ASCII_68]

Wow, more than 100k clicks of punk rock interested drummers within one week. Numbers shows that this lesson is useful to a lot of drummers, me included. Punk's not dead! Rock on.

[@scmcarthur]

Finally a great punk drumming lesson !!!!

[@jeremyvanengen3341]

Super freakin useful! I'm not a drummer, but I've been recording my own punk music, and I've realized just how much I DON'T know about beats I grew up with. And you're right, not near enough videos on punk music and punk beats on the internet. Keep em coming! Thank you!

[@tomjones2348]

Wow. Great instruction...and playing. Succinct and to the point. I've been playing for two weeks now, and love it (at 65).

[@philiplauzon1743]

Thanks man. Great tips, punk drumming is crazy fast and not always obvious

[@mrbtapir]

Interesting thing about Smelly's drumming is he seems to play a 3 over 4 type thing on the hi-hat I.e 3 hi hats over 4 quarter notes. You hear it a bit clearer on the Decline live with Baz's orchestra version. Similar kind of thing to the ride groove in lagwagon 'may 16'

[@perosa99]

What a cool lesson! This is very useful. I am glad to see Dave continues to give great useful tips. Humble despite the great chops and technique 👍🏼

[@gutefrage6969]

Yes, please! A drumeo course on that sort of punk drumming would be priceless 🙏

[@ShawnxEdge]

There’s been a few.

[@christophecoste8471]

always loved the way Dave teaches, spent hours with "him" in the drumeo bass drum boot camp !

[@DrumeoOfficial]

Thanks so much, Christophe!

[@MrDaveAtkinson]

Cheers Christophe!

[@ADepressedWooper]

the quintessential punk drum beat is also known as the d-beat, yes i know i sound like a snob right now but that's what the beat was termed as back when the band discharge blew the underground scene back in 1982, that's why it was called the d-beat, many punk and extreme metals band were into the drum pattern and copied it and NOFX was one of them when they started as a hardcore punk and punk metal band

[@ericiidx]

Ooo that intro about "real punk" is sure to ruffle some feathers! Then again, that crowd is probably too old to be watching drum tutorial videos on KZbin these days... XD I just started drumming a few months ago, and was taken aback by how difficult punk rock drumming actually is. I grew up listening to punk rock too, and it always sounded so basic. "dut, dut, dut, dut, dut, dut..." it's fast!!

[@Footy_Fan]

This definitely makes me want to check out some of these new era punk bands. I had to sell my drum kit, due to not being able to play anymore because of health issues. I therefore get my enjoyment vicariously through other drummers. I am so glad I watched this video, as this guy is not only an incredible drummer, but an equally gifted teacher.

[@vinimotta85]

New era punk bands? Nofx has almost 40 years old!!!

[@Footy_Fan]

@@vinimotta85 😮😮😮😮

[@DaisyHead666]

A thing i learned to do from watching a fellow punk drummer. When playing those super fast D-beats like in crust/anarcho punk songs, i hit the crash, hihat.. Everything, in unison to the kick and it lets me save a shit ton of energy, i also do the half note things on the cymbals if im tired enough.

[@jcrh234]

Very nice detail with the OCDP drum kit for talking about punk 🤘🤘

[@jonnyrockets4756]

Nice job, love all those bands as well. Totally why I started on the drums, 20+ years ago.

[@VettersVideos]

This is a great lesson. I've been playing punk for 20 years and it took me forever to figure these beats and tricks out. Currently I play in a Epitaph/Fat Records Tribute band called The EpiFats from Barrie/Toronto and if it weren't for Drumeo I wouldn't be playing The Decline and all these other fast punk songs I grew up dreaming about playing. Consistency is key, passion is key. Love what you do and good things will grow. P.s Dave your top notch, no matter what the the boys teese you about, your a stand up drummer. Adam Vetter aka Shredder Vetter.

[@joshrapson1502]

Yes please, do some more punk lessons!

[@garretthill6646]

My older brothers wanted to have a punk band so they helped me buy a drum set in when I was in my early teens and they immersed me in some of these same bands, now 15 years later I can still only play punk beats but hey, I am pretty good at it. Other tips, shout outs and punk drummers would be awesome

[@donnix768]

Erik Sandin, NOFX, plays very cleanly at fast tempos, well distributed timing on the fills and lighting quick with his foot on the bass drum. Check RIBBED-1991- incredible punk rock drumming on that record.

[@matthuber7558]

Awesome lesson! Yes, please make more punk rock lessons!

[@TheSunshineLPP]

This is genuinely one of the best tutorials on the platform

[@strummer33]

Thanks for including MxPx. Yuri is a criminally underrated drummer.

[@methos154]

Grew up on punk music all I played for a while and all your tips are awesome yes more punk it actually helps a lot with speed and endurance which most drummers want anyway even if it just helps play slower grooves better

[@clubsodakid606]

Super helpful!!! I am sharing this video on Reddit to help people on a thread talking about this beat in particular!

[@moontime1355]

Hell Yeah.... LIKE👍👍👍...GOING PRACTICE these Fast SPEED double quintessential backbeats ask her kicking heel toe sure don't want to slide on any before year ends.... Thanks

[@hillarycourchaine6829]

As a drummer and a huuuge fan of punk rock like the Ramones, the clash, Iggy Pop, and the distiller's I absolutely love your video on punk drums.

[@albundy8882]

I’d love to see more punk videos especially the drumming of Bad Religion

[@kev25811]

Specifically from the Wackerman era. He was so gifted at moving from the standard beats to crazy jazz stuff and back seamlessly.

[@toddwillson8707]

Great vid. Cheers from one 30’s something Canadian punk drummer to another

[@MartinvonBargen]

Would have been killer if they'd quietly made the Black Flag logo with the acoustic treatment behind Dave. As a guitarist, I love vids like this as they make me wanna write new riffs and jam with someone.

[@sephiroth7818]

I'm going to practice this tonight. I've been playing bass since the mid 90s. And just got a drum set a couple months ago. I have 2 kick drums. May incorporate that.

[@stanislavvrednic677]

Dude!!!! it was a big pleasure to listen to you! U have a nice flow, and tomorrow i think i will my punk skillz ;) wish u the best

[@aa-xw1qt]

Warms my heart hearing these beats. I first started playing drums in 81' when I was 16 and these beats are absolute foundations for punk. In my room with my mattress up against my window and my box spring up against my door I would have headphones blasting Minor Threat, Black Flag, Adolescents, all those early 80's punk bands and I would just play along to it. Even got to play with NOFX for a few shows in 85' or 86'.

[@spcsalas138]

“This is not going to be a lesson on The Ramones or The Clash, this is gonna be a lesson on true punk” *shots fired, SHOTS FIRED*

[@brunocaiano2461]

Hello!! yes and yes!!! i have play in a punk band a few years ago, and i wish i had this tips in that time!! this is very cool tips!! :)

[@thrashmetalhead88]

As a metal drummer in a punk band, this was helpful. Thanks a lot 🤘🏻

[@fattmusiek5452]

I love that you shouted out Millencolin for the second variation. Mad respect.

[@dsu1097]

Gosh this brings so many memories this is how I learned to play and at church

[@SirJonathanTPunkbottom]

Thanks for the tips dude. Super useful!

[@MrTizzay]

Opening this vid up with NOFX is a real power move, great video!

[@DrumeoOfficial]

Glad you like it!

[@hardfer83]

Great vídeo. I play this kind of punk rock for over a decade and I have to learn this foot and hand tecniques all by myself to endure the rehearsals and survive the gigs. This vídeo is fundamental!! Wish Drumeo can put up some more content like these. Punk rock drumming is fundamental!!

[@vahloo]

YES YES YES more pkrk stuff everywhere !!!

[@royasaifi5653]

I love punk drumming and this was very helpful for me. Thank you for the tips. 🙏🤘🤘

[@GHenry5150]

Punk music is what makes me want to play drums so yes please more punk content!

[@blackvelvetbutterfly7504]

Thank you. Great tutorial.

[@dirtysouthhc2936]

ironically even though I'm way more influenced by Byron mcmackin and Jordan Burns this song by smelly was what really got me figuring out the style skate punk. taking that same formula and added on used it confuse myself f***** with timing and everything for about the last 20 years now. some of the earlier s*** when I didn't know what I was doing is amazing compared to what I do now haha

[@clanmcruben9240]

It is curious. Grammatically, punk rock seems to be easy affordable but… behind that, there’s the phantom of required technique to play at high tempos. Well taught mate.

[@superjanembaishappy5512]

This was the video I just needed right now. Every question I had was answered ! Thank you so much !

[@seanmooney9983]

I love David's lessons and approach...

[@ThomasMTV]

11:32 - goodbye hihat cymbals & drumstick tip 🗿

[@Jack_Rivet]

Excellent video. Besides having some great tips it inspired me to write a few punk songs of my own this week

[@Aldertonartco]

haha 'at his age' love it - that shank/tip tip was a mind blower moment for me!